Key West Rise and Reef Snorkeling: Sunset Watersports’ Early Wildlife Tour

We go on a lot of snorkeling tours in Key West and all through the Keys, so when I say that the experience doing the morning Rise and Reef snorkeling tour with Sunset Watersports is worth getting up early for, you’ve got to believe me. Between the more calm seas of the morning hours and the continental breakfast on the double-decker catamaran, I think it’ll be pretty clear why we enjoy this tour. We’ve done all sorts of trips with Sunset Watersports, but this is our favorite of their snorkeling tours thus far.

Are you planning to go snorkeling when you’re in Key West but you’re not sure which tour to pick, or maybe you have to depart the city by the afternoon and need a great option for a morning snorkeling tour. The Rise and Reef Snorkeling is ideal for you! We’ve got the full scoop on what to expect with this fun morning tour and suggestions for getting great underwater photos when you head out snorkeling. If you have any other questions or need additional recommendations, please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a fun Florida Keys vacation.

Highlights of the Rise and Reef Snorkeling

I wish every day began with a snorkeling trip out to the reefs of Key West, but since that’s not our everyday reality, I’m happy to do it each time we’re in Key West. The Rise and Reef morning snorkeling tour with Sunset Watersports is awesome for getting out on the water when it’s typically the most calm as well as if you are departing from Key West for the next part of your vacation and need to fit in a morning snorkeling tour. Also, getting out on the water before the heat of the day can really make a difference for a lot of people who are more sensitive to the Florida Keys’ sunshine and humidity. There are so many reasons to do the Rise and Reef Snorkeling.

The reef you’ll go to for Rise and Reef depends on a few things: the waves and weather, other snorkeling tour boats in the area, and the captain’s vibes for the morning. The goal is always to provide the best morning snorkeling tour possible, so whether you visit the Eastern Dry Rocks, Western Dry Rocks or Sand Key Reef will be determined by where the water clarity will most likely be best and where the least amount of boat traffic is so far. I always love getting to snorkel at Eastern Dry Rocks because of the underwater structure of the reef here, but all of the snorkeling sites are good.

Once you’re done with the water part of your Rise and Reef morning snorkeling tour with Sunset Watersports, they open the bar on the boat and you can enjoy mimosas and other beverages for the sailing back to Key West. The continental breakfast is available from the time you’re first onboard and have completed your safety briefing until you’re back in dock, but no alcoholic beverages are served until snorkeling is over (safety first!).

Book this tour here!

Tips for a Great Morning Snorkeling Tour

With the Rise and Reef Snorkeling tour with Sunset Watersports, you’re heading out to sea by 9:00 am usually. This is before a lot of the other tours, so no time is wasted while the water is the most calm. And you shouldn’t waste your time either! When you board the catamaran, you’ll be given snorkeling equipment, so make sure it all fits properly and be ready to put it on when you get to the reef. Don’t waste a moment of your snorkeling time by fiddling with your gear when you could be in the water. Be the first one in and the last one out of the water so that you can enjoy as much of the reef and its wildlife as possible.

When you’re in the water, find a balance between watching the wildlife and getting your photos and video. If you snorkel often, you may have a great process or method for capturing the underwater sights and also allowing yourself to fully enjoy it, but if you’re new to snorkeling, try to just take in as much of the spectacular fish and coral as you can. Swimming down among the sea fans and following schools of fish is so much fun and is an awesome memory that sometimes just cannot be captured in a photo or video.

The Rise and Reef morning snorkeling tour with Sunset Watersports tends to have some of the most clear water due to the regularly more calm seas in the morning. When that’s the case, you may feel inspired to dive down a bit. There are some great spots as you swim around the reef to free dive 15 to 20 feet when the sand is more settled on the bottom. You can go along the sides of the reef and see what’s hiding along the edges, you can see who’s swimming along the sandy bottom, or you can just float and take it all in. If you feel safe and confident, allow yourself the freedom to go a bit further than you may have before, but always within the bounds set by the boat captain and within the areas that are considered safe for snorkeling. You’ll love what you can experience on a Rise and Reef Snorkeling tour.

Being Prepared for a Key West Morning Snorkeling Tour

Always start getting ready for a Rise and Reef Snorkeling tour (or any snorkeling trip) by applying reef-safe sunscreen before you’re on the boat. You want the sunscreen product to be able to set and absorb a bit, and if you put it on just before getting in the water it won’t be as effective as it could be. If you don’t have your own reef-safe sunblock, they do provide it onboard Sunset Watersports boats.

Upon arrival to your snorkeling catamaran, you’ll be given your snorkel, mask, fins and PFD (life preserver). You can bring your own gear if you like, but you do have to use the PFD they provide to you. It is an inflatable one, so you don’t have to blow it up, but you must wear it in the water in case you need a rescue device. I like to bring my own snorkel gear because I do spend so much time in the water, but the snorkels and masks provided will do just fine. Arrive wearing your swimsuit as, again, you’ll want to waste no time getting in the water. Also, have your towels ready for when you’re done, as it can be a nice way to block the sun or if it’s a cooler day, it’s a nice break from the breeze.

When it comes to camera gear, try to enjoy the snorkeling with your own eyes as much as possible, and then also be ready to get pictures. A GoPro on an extender pole is a great camera to bring for a Rise and Reef Snorkeling tour. Set it on a high frame rate, best quality video and then you can get videos and lift photos from it too. I also like to just use my smart phone in a good waterproof case (rated 20 feet or more). I set it on a high frame rate and control it with the side shutter buttons and it works great!

Note: if you haven’t used a waterproof case for your phone before, make sure that you test it before you’re on the boat and can confirm that it is indeed well suited to snorkeling, and then when you put it on for snorkeling, be sure it’s 100% sealed.

Parking for Sunset Watersports Rise and Reef Snorkeling Tour

When you’re doing a Key West morning snorkeling tour, there is plenty of parking by the Historic Seaport where the Sunset Watersports Rise and Reef Snorkeling tour goes from. There is a large paid parking lot that usually has plenty of spaces in the morning. That’s one of the perks of doing an early snorkeling tour. If you’re staying on Roosevelt Blvd or Stock Island when you’re in Key West, the hotel shuttles usually drop off here so you’ll be just steps from where you’ll meet your captain. The Historic Seaport is walking distance from anywhere in the Historic Districts, and Sunset Watersports usually meets right next to the Marker Resort, so you don’t need to worry about driving over if you’re close by.

Other Sunset Watersports Tours to Consider

We’ve been out with Sunset Watersport in Key West many times. They have nice boats, really kind crews, and I like their approach to conservation and enjoying the outdoors. They consistently talk with guests about respecting the undersea environment while still making sure everyone is safe and having fun. I think they’re solid. Here are some of the Sunset Watersports activities we’ve enjoyed in the past: